Can't speak for Alfine, but my Nexus 8sp has been faultless in ~3 years of every day commuting. on the other hand there's another guy at my work whose Trek Soho crapped out its Nexus after only a few months. Don't know the details, maybe (his is a newer version than mine) it's related to the needle roller bearings?

For those who want or don't mind derailers, I like the Vivente randonneur. Most tourers are better commuters than the average $400 bike, so I hear. Giant even waffles between calling the Giant Transend a "tourer" or "super commuter".

You get around 100km a charge out of it, depending on conditions. Let's say 80km with a bit of a headwind and some hills. Still pretty good if you're only doing 20-30km each way.

Only issue would be I would always be paranoid of it being stolen or vandalised. Although with a bike like that you can afford to carry a solid U-Lock (or two) with you, and I would have it in secure storage at work.